Dr. Million’s health tips on Choosing the correct teeth cleaning, dental floss, and brushes. While brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth, position the brush at a 45-degree angle where your gums and teeth meet.
Gently move the brush in a circular motion several times using small, gentle strokes. Use some pressure while putting the bristles between the teeth, but not so much pressure that you feel any discomfort.
Once you finish cleaning the outside surfaces of your teeth, it’s important to follow the same process when cleaning the inside of the back teeth. To properly clean the inside surfaces of your upper and lower front teeth, hold your brush vertically and make several gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth. Don’t forget to gently brush the surrounding gum tissue. Finally, you’ll want to clean the biting surfaces of your teeth.
To do this, use short, gentle strokes. Change the position of the brush as often as necessary to reach and clean all surfaces. Try to watch yourself in the mirror to make sure you clean each surface. After you are done, rinse vigorously to remove any plaque you might have loosened while brushing. Start with a piece of floss (waxed is easier) about 18 long. Lightly wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand. Wrap the rest of the floss around the middle finger of the other hand.
To clean the upper teeth, hold the floss tightly between the thumb and forefinger of each hand. Gently insert the floss tightly between the teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Do not force the floss or try to snap it into place. Bring the floss to the gum line then curve it into a C-shape against one tooth. Slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel light resistance.
Move the floss up and down on the side of one tooth. Remember two tooth surfaces need to be cleaned in each space. Continue to floss each side of all the upper teeth. Be careful not to cut the gum tissue between the teeth. As the floss becomes soiled, turn from one finger to the other to get a fresh section.
